Process for accelerated evaporation of large quantities of liquid - such as septic tank effluent

ABSTRACT

Recently developed proceedures refine home septic tank effluent to a clean, odorless liquid, but the problem of daily disposal of hundreds of gallons of efflluent remains. Currently this fluid is emptied into the soil, a stream, or slow-evaporation ponds. Frequently, none of these methods are possible at an otherwise desirable homesite. Therefore, a compact, relatively inexpensive, and above all, quick acting process is needed. My process consists of four steps:  
     1. Create a very large fluid surface area by reducing the liquid to very small droplets.  
     2. Expose this surface to large volumes of rapidly moving air.  
     3. Maintain the moving air and diffused liquid in contact until evaporation occurs.  
     4. Return the humid air to the atmosphere quietly, and in any desired direction.  
     A system (see example on page 2) using my process can easily be sized to evaporate the daily effluent from an average household within 4 hours or less running time.

[0001] I, Isaac W. Sirbaugh, claim that the process outlined belowconstitutes a first and original invention and that I am the soleinventor of the method of acceleration of evaporation of largequantities (hundreds of gallons per day) of liquid. I further claim thatthis process will make possible the utilization of many home sites whichcannot now be developed because of difficulties in disposal of septictank effluent. Further, there will often be other advantages, bothfinancial and esoteric because of reduced site preparation, e.g., notree removal, no perculation ditches, only about 100 square feet ofspace used.

[0002] The process consists of (a) creation of a very large surface areaof liquid by atomization, (b) exposing this surface to large quantitiesof rapidly moving air, (c) accomplishing steps (a) and (b) in relativelysmall tightly enclosed space, and (d) returning the humid air to thegeneral atmosphere with a minimum of disturbance.

[0003] A system to implement the above process is shown on the drawing(page 2 substitute). This system is designed primarily for disposal oftreated effluent from home septic tanks or small commercialestablishhments.It will make possible construction of homes in areaswhere effluent cannot be released to the soil or into the water ofstreams or into lagoons or special fields for slow evaporation.

EXPLANATION OF DRAWING

[0004] There follows an explanation of identification numbers used onthe drawing, (Page 2, Substitute). The numbers are arranged in orderfrom the beginning of the process.

[0005]1. Incoming fluid line

[0006]2. Accumulation tank

[0007]3. Low pressure charging pump with filter

[0008]4. Low pressure feed line

[0009]5. High pressure pump

[0010]6. High pressure line to atomizing nozzles

[0011]7. Atomizing nozzles

[0012]8. High volume fan or blower

[0013]9. Evaporating chamber

[0014]10. Slip ring to adjust direction of discharge

[0015]11. Lid (operated by air pressure)

[0016]12. Gravity return line for automatic recycling of anyunevaporated liquid

[0017]13. Wire grills

OPTIONS TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS

[0018] Ultra-violet light or chlorine injection may be added to furtherpurify incoming liquids.

[0019] Discharge point may be raised to any desired height.

[0020] Pumps may be controlled by a float operated switch or by a switchwith timer.

[0021] High humidity or low temperature may be overcome by heating theair before it enters the evaporation chamber.

[0022] It will generally be expedient to enclose the pumps and blower ina tool shed for protection from weather, insects, and vermin.

1. What I claim as my invention is a process to quickly and economicallyevaporate large quantities of non-toxic liquids, e.g. treated septictank effluent
 2. I claim that my process will be very useful indisposing of liquids which for various reasons, cannot be released tothe soil or into streams. The principles of the process are explained inthe Abstract (page 4) and are illustrated by a drawing (page 2,substitute).